city, southeastern Chiapas estado (state), extreme southeastern Mexico. It is on the Coatán River, on the Pacific coastal plain, at 449 feet (137 m) above sea level, 9.5 miles (15 km) from the Guatemala border. Tapachula is the major manufacturing and commercial centre for the Soconusco region. Coffee, bananas, cacao, and sugarcane, the principal products of the region, are processed in and near Tapachula. Distilleries, saddleries, and silversmith's and goldsmith's shops are also located in the city. Tapachula is linked by highway to Ciudad Hidalgo (23 miles 【37 km】 to the southeast) and Talismán (11 miles 【18 km】 to the northeast) on the Guatemalan border and to other cities on the coastal plain. It is also on the Veracruz–Ciudad Hidalgo railroad and is served by domestic and international airlines. Pop. (2000) city, 179,839.